Hourly taximeter.



C. D. RICHARD. 1

HOURLY TAXIMETER.

APPLlcAmN HLED 111AY111916.

1 ,269,309. Patented June 11, 1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. D. RICHARD.

HOURLY TAXMETER.

APPLlcAnoN FILED MAY 1. 1916,

Patented J une 11, 1918.

H SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. D. RICHARD.

HUUHLY 1MXIMEEH'.

APPLICATION mm MMI. lans.

Patented June 11, 1918.

8 SHEETS-*SHEET 4.

n.3 Sgm n nu' l envi/tum *7m AC. D. RICHARD.

HOURLY TAXIMEER.

APPLICAUUN mio MAYI.1916.

1,269,309. Patented June 11, 1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

` mommy. @www C. D. RICHARD.

HouRLY TAxlMEER.

PPUCATIDN FILED MAY 1| |915- 1 ,269,309. Patented June 11, 1918.

B SHEETS-SHEET 6.

6mm asf/fm 5-.5 @mf/mm C. D. RICHARD.

HOURLY TAXIMETEH` APPLucATIoN FILED MAY 1. 1916.

Patented June 11, 1918.

B SHEETS-SHEET ...lill

31a/ventola wf/F4561). fic/Me C. D. RICHARD.

HUURLY TAXIMETEB.

APPucATmN FILED MV1. |516.

Patented June 11, `1918.

Ffa.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

CHARLES D ONAT RICHARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HOURLY TAXIMETER.

Application fleld May 1. 1916.

l'o all whom 'it may concern llc it known that I, CHA-lunes D. Kleiman. a citizen of the Repnblicof France. residing,r at: New York city, in the countiof New York and Stato of New York. have invented 'certain new and useful lmprovements in Hourly Taxinieters, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to the general subject of registers. and has particular` reference to a novel improvement in that c ass` of devices which are used on motor vehicles to register the total fare due from the passengers carried within a prescribed time limit, and ordinarily known as taximetei-S.

To this end the present invention has primarily in view a novel taxiinetei' construction available particularly in connection with the hire of taxicabs, or other motor vehicles. accordingr to a fixed tariff per hour and fraction thereof. or according to other predeterlnined fixed tari tls that ma be prescribed n n a municipality.'4 In s ome l0- calities, for vehicles hired by the hour or forother long periods` the hourly hiring rate is ,fixed by law. This lfixed charge limit, is used as the inaxixnmn basis for computing?r the total charge, additional mnounts'of time. in periods of tit'teen minutes h'eing` reckoned in the total fare recorded liv the register.

Accordingly, will be apparent. 4that' the present invention has ir. viewa register device which clearl \i distingoishes` from thc well known taximeter which registers a total yfare charge on a calculation of the distance.

traveled. hy providing a device in which the element of time is the controlling factor in the total calculation.

The invention also f 'onteniplz-ites a novel construction 't'or carrying the, idea. above set forth. into effect. which will he practically foolproof. and relatively simple in operation and structure. which not only renders the maintenance thereof easy.' and economical. hut at the same time ln'ovidcs a device which maj.' he radilv handled h v the cl1aufleur. ot' the machine `.vithout au) attention. other than the operation 0ll a single lever element.

ll'ith the above and other objects in view which will appear more clearlhip as the nature of the invention is heiter underf'tood. the same consists in the novel combination and arr-.ingen'ient of parts hereinafter more fully illustrated and claimed.

.l prete-eifel fand practico! en'ihodiinent of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 11, 19181.

Serial No. 94,769.

the invent-ion is shown in the accompanyinpr drawings, in which- Fignre l is a perspective view of my lll.' ventlon.

F ig. i! is a front elevation thereof, with the face plate or dial removed and. (some of the time mechanism also removed to more clearly show the structural features of the device. I i i Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken through Ione side of the casing and s lowing in side elevation all of tlieiworking parts of the invention. lin this view the parts'gire shown in their normal or neutral position.

Fie. l is a view similar `to Fie.l 3, but showing the flag lever of thedevic tiiirned from its normal nenti-al posili'oii into operative position and also showing all of the parts ofthe device in their iitorkm'gi'posit'gn.

Fig. 5 is a vertical Sectional -view t? ein on the line of Fig. 3 looking in the de rection of the arrows. i

Fig. is a top plan View of the invention, the parts being shown in normal or neutral position. i

Fig. T isan enlarged detail view showing the charge regulating device and its relation lo the register mechanism. all parts beipg shown in normal neutral ios'itiop.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the parts in working position. i

Fig'. S) is a horizontal sectional View lool;- ing in the direction of the arrows, taken ln the line 9 9 of Fig. S. i

Fig. 1,0 is an enlarged detail sectional View showing: the disks of the register mechanism in their normal neutral position` Fig. ll is a view similar to Fig. l0 showing the register disks in working position.

Fig'. l2 is a detail sectional'view 4of ,the can] unit forn'iing` a party ofthe chiirge regulating device. i'

Fig. l?, is a detail view showing the relation of the two dollars disks of theregister device, whereby a portion carried by the dollars disk of lowest value permits an operating pawl to piek up the dollars disk of higher value at the end of each revolution thereof.

Similar reference numerals designate correspendingr parts throughout the several tig'ures of the drawings.

v.als has already been indicated, the present device is intended for, and may be readily called. an hourly taximeter, since. it r0- rides for computing the total fare von vehicharge regulating device cles rented by the hour or fraction thereof, at a fixed tariff per hour. Assuming that the fixed tariff is $2.50 per hour, the initial charge for the use of a machine will` be as stated, then after the hour period is up thi device begins to record a charge for each succeeding quarter hour at one-fourth of the hourl rate, for instance $.60. Therefore, the evice in its normal state registers a fixed fare indication of $2.50, providing, 01 course, that this is the fixed hourly tariff, and as each quarter hour after the hour period is up the total fare indication will be increased by $.60.

Accordingly, with the ultimate object of computing total fare registration, the present device fundamentally includes in its embodiment three principal mechanisms, viz., a register mechanism, designated generally as R, a time mechanism T, and a charge regulating device C, the latter being thrown into and out of operation with the time mechanism by means of a Hag lever F, and the controlling connections therewith. That is to say, the present device includes in addition to the time mechanism T, a register mechanism R including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements, and a adapted to actuate the latter an amount prime to the radix including any necessary transfer, as will hereinafter be more fully set forth in detail.

The above mentioned instrumentalities are preferably included in a suitable casing or housin which comprises a supporting member or. ook l, constituting the back wall of the device and a casing section Q which telescopically receives the mechanism carried bv the supporting member 1, and is provided at its front end with a glass window 3 for protecting the face plate 4, which is exposed to the view of the chauffeur and passengers. The lower wall of this casing is preferably provided with an attaching post 5 which depends therefrom and may be supported in a suitable bracket in any convenient position on the vehicle.

The register mechanism R, above referred to, is arranged in the lower part of the casing behind the face plate 4 and essentially includes a plurality of register disks or wheels 6, 7 and S having on the peripheries` thereof a series of numerals which may be exposed through openings 9 in the face plate 4. As will be observed from Fig. 1 of the drawings these openings are three in number, the two at the extreme left being for the dollars registration, while the one on the right is for the tens of cents registration, the hundredths of cents being always indicated by a naught, which is a fixed quantity. That is to say` the hundredths of cents designation of the present structure is not intended to change in the fare calculations, since the same is on the basis heretofore pointed out, and this end of the calculation will always end in a naught. For example on the. basis of a fixed tariffl of $2.50 for the first hour, and $.60 for each quarter hour thereafter, the stepping up of the register or counters will show the following numbers, namely, $2.50, $3.10, $3.70, $4.30, $4.90. $5.50, $0.10, $0.70, $7.30, $7.90, etc. In this connection with the tens of cents disk G, it may be noted at this point that the series of numerals on the periphery thereof runs 5, 1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9, while each of the dollars disks 7 and 8 have the numerals on the periphery thereof running in successive order from 1 to 9, inclusive, plus a naught at the end of the series or between the 9 and 1. This arrangement of figures on the disks is made necessary by the peculiar combinations involved on the $2.50 tariff basis, and of course, may vary where the tariff rate per hour is different. The several disks of the register mechanism are controlled and actuated by suitable register operating means entirely controlled by the charge regulating device C, which is placed in operative and inoperative relation with the time mechanism T by the rotation of the Hag lever F.

For the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the condition of the several parts when the flag F is in its neutral or normal position, that is, when the part F designated as the flag projects above the casing of the device to signify that the machine is for hire. In this condition the time mechanism, designated generally as T, is intended to be in operation and through a` gear G constantly rotates a main driving pinion 10 keyed to a main driving or motion transmitting shaft 11 journaled in the frame work 12 of the clock mechanism. This shaft 11 projects beyond the frame-work 12 and is provided with a squared portion 13 which is adapted to slidably receive a clutch pinion 14 carried by a sleeve 15 engaged by a clutch shifter arm 16 in the conventional manner. This shifter arm 16 is carried by a sleeve 17 loosely mounted on a supporting shaft 18, which latter, in addition to providing a support for the clutch shifting member. constitutes the stem or means for winding the spring of the clock mechanism. To this end the shaft is provided at one 0nd with a winding pinion 19, which meshes with a spring pinion 20, and is provided. at the opposite end, with a winding key 21 exposed at the back of the casing. The sleeve 17 of the clutch shifting member above referred t0 carries at the end opposite the shifter arm 16, an operating arm 22 which bears against the working face 23 of a controlling cam Q'l carried by the end of the flag shaft 25. For the purpose of holding the arm 22 of the clutch shifting member in Contact with the working face 23 of the cam, there is preferably provided a spring 26 coiled about the shaftl and conned between one end of the clutch shifting member and a suitable abutment V27.

Accordingly, as will be observed from Fig. 3 of the drawings, when the tia Y is in neutral position, the cam 2l carried J y the shaft 25 is so disposed that the highest portion of its working fare holds the'arsn 22 in Such a position1 against the tension of the spring 2G, that the clutch pinion lll is out of en agement with the gear 28 of the cam unit of the charge regulating device. Thus, when the flag is swung from its normal neutral position. the shaft carrying the cani 2l is rotated and the arm 22 of the eluteh shifting member rests iu the valley of the cam surface, thus, permitting the clutch pinion 1l carried by the motion transmitting shaft 1l to mesh with the gear 28 of the cam unit. and connecting the time mechanism T with the charge regulating mechanism R.

Referring further to the Ilzrlg shaft 25, it may be noted that the same carries, in tion to the clutch shifting cam 2t, a restraining device and operating cam E29. and a cheek disk 30. the latter having a ratchet edge 31 for engaging with the spring ressed pawl 32 mounted on the shaft 1S. Y he arrangement of this pawl is suoli that it ,engages the ratchet teeth thereof to prevent backward movement of the shaft 25 but. permits its free movement in one direction.` To prevent the Hag shaft .25 from rotating too rapidly in the direction made possible by the pawl and ratchet arrangement.` whenthe flag is pulled down with a lsharp thrust, the disk S0 is provided with a plurality of spaced stop lugs projecting from one side there? of. These lugs are preferably four in numher and are so arranged that two of them may he engaged at the ,same time by a brake arm 3st, which is loosely molmtedA fon the shaft 1S and pulled downwardly by means of a springI Thus. this `braking arrangement Vis such that the flag shaft is automatieally cheeked at ,each quarter revolution. ln addition `to earr ing the elements forth. the shaft 25 algo carries between the ratchet dish 31 and the wall 1 .ofthe 1.casing a resetting cam 3G, which Vwill hereinafter he more fully referred to.A

From the foregoing ,it )vill he apparent that in the normal condition ,of the apparatus the dag raised and the clutch pinion 14 is out of vrent-lgen1ent with lthe gear 2810i the ram `unit U of what is termed herein the charge regulating device. and it is this .deviee that constitutes the operative connection between the time mechanism and the register mechanism. However. when the passenger hires the machine the flag is swung downwardly through an are of 180 degrees zo that. the shaft .25 is turned, thus shifting the clutch pinion l on the motion transmitting shaft lil into mesh with the gear 28, and thereby connectin the time mechanism with the ,cam unit an( starting the latter to vV F or a period of one hour the cam unit U, though rotating under the influence of the time mechanism, does not in any way affect the revister mechanism It, which exhibits a tixed charge for the hour of $2.50. However! afterthe hour is up it is necessary to bring the register mechanism into play to calculate the extra fare for the ad ditional period of use ,of the machine. The eonstruction of the cam unit U whereby this object is attained, `is therefore, such that the register V1neehanism will not be operated until after the initial hour period .is up,

By A'reference 1to the drawings it will `be observed that this cam unit essentially ,ineludfeslin its organization .the operating gear 28. previously referred to, and the reglster operating cams 37 and 38 rigid with each other and also with said gear. The cam 37 controls the ten-s of cents register disk G. and lthe cam 38 controls the dollars disks T and B. These cams are provided with different foam peripheries as will be observed from Figs. 7 and 8. the cam 37 being provided with tive teeth e, while the cam 38 is provided `with three each designated as Z), V, CZ, t

ln :this ,connection it should be noted that the two cams 37 and 38 may have any suitable form and arrangement of active ,elpements that will aecognplish the desired `restilts. but in the preferable and practical construction, ,these cams are of a pointed or ratchetftooth formation, hat the teeth or active elements thereof must maintain a relation inkorder to act at `irregular rellen so as 'to be able to irregularly e1)- `.the (register tdisk aeeordingto the fixed tari# perhoalr and quarter hour. The iniportanee of this particular relation between the two cams Ywillige Eapparent by referring to tlie shfsilnle o Qharges involving the steppingvumolixtlae .register disks for a fixed tarigl. =or`=1ns,tance $2.50 at increments of $.60 veadi,or .erery Quarter hour after the first hogar. this. connection .it may be notedfby iayfof exam. that in stepping up iliona .the charge hof.' $4.30 to $4.90, the dollars dish .Ie nains inactive while the tens disltsteps up `from the inmrerals to il. hut from the charge $4.9() to $5.50 hoth of said register disks and hence ,both of the cams 31 `3&5 operate these zelements also operate at `the ,trent step from 4'it-50 to $6.10 whereby this is registered. then the dollars counter the cam therefor remain inactgiige while. the other cam and the disk coin trolled thereby operate the counter. From th's explanation uit will .be seen that a criti ealfeature ,of the machine .in order to secure accuracy and praoticability'is the cam unit llt.)

oi' the charge regulating device and the maintenance of a proper set relation between the active elements of the two cams.

The dollars cam member 38 carries therewith a flanged trip collar 39 whichV is pro vided with a clearance notch 40, and to provide for the simultaneous movement of these members each of the cam disks and the gear 28 are rigidly connected, and all loosely mounted on the supporting shaft 41 carried by the frame 12 of the clock work. The gear 28, mounted on the shaft 41,carries rigid therewith a resetting pinion 42, and the latter in turn carries a check disk 43 adapted to be restrained b a` check pawl 44 for maintaining the entlre cam unlt in normal position. This pawl 44 is so arranged that when in engagement with the notch of the check disk 43 it prevents the spring-pressed resetting sector 45 from rotating the gear 28 through the pinion 42. However, it will be understood thatl the gear 28 is free to move under power received from the motion transmitting shaft throu h the pinion 14 in such a direction that t e pawl 44 will oil'er no hindrance, and the last tooth of the resetting sector 45 will merely trail over the teeth of the resetting pinion 42.

Through the combined eii'orts of the pawl 44 and the spring-pressed resetting sector 45, the entire cam unit is normally held in such a position that the clearance notch 40 of the trip collar 39 will be in the position shown in Fig. 7 and after each operation is automatically returned to normal position by the sector 45. As the clock mechanism operates, the gear 28 causes the entire unit to move and thus advance the clearance notch 40 from its original or in'tial position, so that at the expiration o a period of one hour the clearance notch is positioned directly above the trip dog 46 ivotally carried on the angular end 47 ci) the arm 48 of a restraining device D, for maintaining levers 49 and 50 out of engagement with the cams 37 and 38, respectively, until after the hour or predetermined initial period is up. That is to say, the arm 48,which is a part of the restraining device D is provided with a laterally rojecting restraining arm 51 which hol s the charge regulating levers 49 and 50 in such a position that the pawl ends thereof are out of contact with the earns 37 and 38, as will be observed from Fig. 7. These levers are held in operative position by the separate springs,

This restraining device D which includes the arm 48, also includes a cam operated arm 52 rigidly connected by means of a sleeve 53 with the arm 48. Thus, this sleeve rigidly unites the arms 48 and 52, so that under infiuence of the s ring 54 the arm 52 will be pulled u war ly into contact with the cam 29 on t e shaft 25. The shape of this camgis such that when the Hag is in its normal neutral position the arm 52 is pressed downwardly, thus causing the arm 48 to be pressed down and thereby holding the dog 46 carried by the arm 38 beneath the periphery of the trip collar 39, and of course the ends of levers 49 and 50 away from cams 37 and 38. However, when the flag is swung to its extreme downward osition, the crown of the`cam 29 releases t e arm 52 so the spring 54 will have a tendency to pull both arms 48 and 52 upwardly. In thus pulling the arm 48 upwardly the head of the pivoted trip dog 46 is pressed against the exterior or periphery of the trip collar 39. In this posltion of parts the arm 48, however, is in substantially the same position it was when the flag was in neutral position, with the exception, however, that itis free from the influence of the cam 29 and could move under the influence of the spring 54 if the dog 46 were not bearing in the outside of the collar 39. While the dog is ridin on the external periphery of the collar 39 t e levers 49 and 50, which are independent and loosely mounted on the supporting axle 55, like the sleeve 53, are still held in their extreme downward position as shown in Fig. 7. However, when the clock mechanism has rotated the gear 28 for one hour, the clearance notch 40 in the collar permits the trip dog 46 to snap inside of the collar thus releasing the arms 49 and 50 so that their pawl ends may come in contact with their respective controlling cams 37 and 38.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the register mechanism does not come into play for a period of one hour, or the entire length of time that the trip dog 46 is traveling on the exterior of the trip collar 39. However' as soon as the dog 46 snaps into the clearance notch 40, the reg ister operating levers 49 and 50 move into operative relation with the cams 37 and 38.

As the apparatus continues to work with the trip dog traveling inside of the collar 39, the cam 37 actuates the lever 49 which in turn actuates the tens of cents disks 6 of the register mechanism through the link 56. This link 56 connects as at 57, with the arm 58 pivotally supported at one end on a shaft 59 extending transversely of the Casin and having at vits other end a pivoted paw 60, the same being controlled by means of a spring 61 and having its lower end 62 in engagement with the ratchet disk 63 carried by the tens of cents register disk 6.

The arm 58 above referred Vto carries a spacing sleeve 58, and as previously stated is loosely mounted on the shaft 59. The end of the sleeve 58 is in close proximity to a sleeve 64 also mounted on the shaft 59, and carrying rigidly therewith the arms 65 and 66. The arm 65 is connected by a link 67 with the dollars operating lever 50 carried by the dollars disk S.

which is controlled by the cani BSyand any movement imparted by the latter to the arm (S5 is imparted to the arm 6G since lboth arms are rigidly connected by the sleeve (i4. Like the arm 58, each of the arms G5 and Gli carry, atkone end, a re rist-er operating pawl (38 and 69 respective y which are spring tensioned in the same manner as the pawl GU. The lower end ot the pawl (38 enga es with the ratchet disk T0 carried by the collars register disk T, and when the arm 5() is actuated by passing over the cam prolect-ions on the cam the register disk T iis moved accordingly. For the purpose of rotating the dollars disk S in proper synchronism with T, that is so that the disk S will advance the space ot` one ligure to each complete cycle or revolution ot' the disk 'l'. the lat-ter is provided with a smooth hub portion Tl having therein a notch 7:2. The smooth periphery of the hub T1 during the revolution of the disk T prevents the extreme lower end T3 of the pawl G9 troni engaging with the ratchet disk T4, Then the disk T completes a revolution thenoteh T2 in the huh Tl permits the end 73 of the pawl G9 to engage with one tooth of the ratchet T-l. so that upon the upward movew nient of the pnwl the disk 8 will be advanced only one ligure and the pawl will' then drop out of t e notch. 0n the neXt movement Tf) will slide idly on the smooth periphery oi the hub 71.

'Thereforey it will be apparent that when the trip dog 4G is riding 1nside of the collar 39, the levers 49 and 50 are respectively in contact with the. working peripheries o1c the cams 3T and 38. so that a reciprocating motion will be. imparted to the ends of the levers 4:9 and 50, whereby the register disks will be actuated through the links 56 and 5T. Upon each downward movement of either of the levers 49 or 50, the pawls 60 and will be pushed downwardly to engage another tooth on the ratchet disks 63 and TO, so that when the levers 4!) and 50 are pulled np under the influence of the springs ai, the proper register diskswill be advanced the correct distance. Obviously, since the tens of cents disk 6 is the most active, it is necessary to rovide the cam 3T with more teeth than tie cam 3S, in the present case the ratio being 5 to 3 for the particular tariff spccilied. As long as the trip dog 46 is within the collar 39 the disks G, 7 and 8 will continue to register, and the coi'nbined reading will be of the total fare due from the person who hired the machine.

At this point the novel construction of the register device R may be noted. s will be observed from Figs. 10 and 1.1 each ot the register disks 6, 7. and 8 are carried hy a shiftable register shaft 75 having thereon a plurality of alined offset lugs 7G having inclined ends. one lug being provided for each of the register disks. Each oit the said register disks are provided with a hollow hub portion 77, and receive in one end thereof a control bnshin member T8 having a spiral or inclined ace T9 adapted to bear against the inclined face ot the lugs T6 under conditions hereafter explained. These bushings do not extend throughout the length of the hub, but provide a clearance space 80 at one end of the hub in which the lugs 76 freely work, or rather, which permits the disks 6, l and 8 te rotate free and loose on the shaft, so that they uiay be operated by the pawls (El). GS and G9 when the tlag F is in its eX- treme downward osition. In the normal neutral position o the flag F the lu s T6 lie within the slotted portions 81 0% the bushing T8, and lock. all of the register disks or wheels in their normal Josition, that is, so that they exhibit the fixed hourly tari'li rate. Therefore, since the shaft T5 on which the register disks are mounted is shiftahle, when it is desired to bring the meter into use by turning the flag to its extreme downward limit, the shaft T5 may he drawn to such a position that the lugs T6 are in the clearance siace 80 at the end of the hubs 7T of the disks.

For the purpose of shifting the shaft 75, thtl same is engaged at one end by a yoke 82 which is pivoted in the frame work of the device of the apparatus as at S3, and has its end 84 pivotally connected b Y a link S5 with the lower end of a contro ling le-V ver 8G. This cont-rolling lever is substantially of right angular formation and is pivoted as at 87 to the back casing or support l. This angular formation of the lever provides an arm S8 which is caused to follow the periphery of the resetting cam 3G on the shaft 35 by means of a spring 8S). The working peripher ot' the cani 36' is such that in the norma position of the Hag l? the same presses down on the arm to cause the shaft 75 to be shifted so that the lugs Z6 lic in the slots 81 of the bushin i' T8 and this locks the disks. However, w en the Hag is in its extreme downward position the cam 36 is of such shape that the spring S9 is permitted to act and canse the yoke arm to swing on its pivot 83 and pull the shaft out so that the lugs 76 may work in the clearance 80 ot the hubs T7 of the disks.

In view of the particular construction of the bushings 78 and the lugs 7 G it will be apparent that the lugs will reset the disks when the Hag is moved from its extreme downward position back to its normal position. since the inclined face of the lug 76 will engage the inclined faces of the bushings T8 when the shaft T5 is pushed inward bv the return of the fia to its normal position and the reverse o' the operation described above. This feature is of material importance in the invention since it provides for accurately bringing the register disks back to the fixed hourly tariff` rate, regardless of their position when the passenger leaves the machine.

In order to revent backward movement of the register dlsks 6, 7 and 8 during the operation ofthe device, each ratchet 63, 70, and 7 4 carried by the disks 6, 7 and 8 is preferably engaged by a spring pressed check paWl 90 suspended from a shaft 91 arran ed transversely the casing at the front o the apparatus.

For the purpose of informing the occupant of the machine that the device is in use or not in use, the face plate 4 of the device may be provided with the semicircular Windows 92 and 93, behind which operate the pivotally supported recording disks 94 and 95, respectively having thereon Recording and Not recording. Each disk is provided with a pinion 96 at the rear side thereof, and is ivotally supported in the frame work 12 o the clock mechanism. The said pinion 96 of each disk is adapted to mesh with a controlling sector 97 carried by a shaft 98 journaled in the frame as at 99 and carrying at the end opposite its connection with the sector 97 an arm operating the arm for the disk 94 being designated as 100 while the arm for the disk 95 is marked 100. This arm 100 is controlled by means of a spring 101, and is moved or shifted by means of a cam ost 102 carried by the cam disk 24 on the dbg shaft 25. When the flag is in its normal neutral position the cam post 102 will not engage either of the levers 100 or 100 as shown in Fig. 3 and the arrangement is such that the black parts of both dials 94 and 95 are visible through the apertures of the front face plate 4. When the flag is driven 90o the post 102 will move the lever 100 and thereby move the dial 94 into such a position that the Word Recording Will appear through the aperture 92 as shown 1n Fig. 1. However, when the flag is driven 180 from neutral position, the black part 94 a ain appears before the opening 92, since t e post 102 has left the lever 100. Then, upon the turnin of the lever from the 180 position to the 2 0 position, the post 102 en ages lever 100 to thus bring the portion o dial 95 having thereon Not recording before the aperture 93, thus indicating that the mechanism is being thrown out of use. As the flag lever moves from 270o position back to normal neutral position, the post 102 leaves lever 100 so that the black ortion of the dial 95 is a ain exposed beore the ap rture 93 to indicate the normal state of the apparatus. Thus the invention provides for informing the passenger of the state of the machine, so that if he does no1V see the figures register for one hour he will know that the device is in operation.

To keep an accurate record of the total amounts collected by the driver of the machine, and the number of times his taXimeter has been in use during his period of service, suitable counters or recorders of Well known construction may be employed in connection with the register mechanism R and charge regulating mechanism C. The counter associated with the register mechanism R is designated as 103, vvhile the counter associated with the charge regulating mechanisms C is designated as 104. Both of these counters are suitably mounted on the rear Wall of the casing 1, and are visible respectively through suitable apertures (not shown) and in the rear Wall 1 of the device.

Referring now particularly to the counter 103 associated with the registering device R, it will be observed that the same is rovided with an operating pinion 107 which 1s adapted to mesh with a gear sector 108 rigidly carried by the arm 58 journaled in the shaft 59. It will be remembered that the arm 53 is the one which operates the tens of cents register disk 6, and is actuated by the lever 49 through the link 56. Thus, any reciprocating motion imparted, throu h the connec-4 tions Just referred to, througi the arm 58 or sleeve 58, are transmitted to the sector 108, which is in mesh With the gear 107 of the counter. Thus, each time the arm 58 reciprocates, due to the lever 49 passiner over the surface of the cam 37, the lever 10Q( will be moved to operate the counter, which is of the conventional reciprocating type. Every time the arm 107 moves to register a $.60 fare, its movement will be registered on the counter 103. Therefore, if at the end of the day, it is found that the counter registers 50, for example, it can be easily computed that the total fares registered by the device is $32.50. That is to say, since there were fifty reciprocations of the sector 107, and consequently fifty movements of the disk 6, the total of this calculation would be $30.00. Then, since the original charge Was $2.50, the $30.00 registered for theA total quarter hours, plus the initial charge Would give the total sum of $32.50.

Now to inform the inspector or like party as to hovs7 many times during the day the machine has been used and therefore should register a $2.50 fee, the counter 104 is utilized. This counter is provided with a lever 109 rigid on the end of its shaft. which is pivotally connected as at 110 with a link 111 which is connected at its upper end with the lever 52 which forms a part of the restrain ing device D. As stated in connection with the specific description of the latter device, when the device is in its normal neutral position the cam 29 on the shaft 25 presses the obscures the register disks.

lever 52 down, and when the flag is turned down into working position7 the lever 52 rises under the influence of its spring because the cam 29 is such that it does not bear on the lever when the flag is down. Zhen the service period of the meter is over and the operator swings the ting back to neutral position the cam 29 again presses the arm 52 down causing the link 111 to move in the opposite direction. Thus. the reciprocating motion is imparted to the link 111 each time the device is used. This reciprocating movement is transmitted to the lever 109 on the shaft of the counter to thus cause the same to operate and register once. Therefore, every time the device is brought into service the counter 10i will record the same. If the meter has been in use ten times during the day for a period of less than one hour, the register 104 will register ten times, while the register 103 wil not register at all.

Thus, the party inspecting the reading oi" the meter will know that the driver of the vehicle should t'urn in $25.00 or ten times the flat tai-iii" rate for one hour or a traction thereof. If on the other hand, the meter has been in use ten times for periods of less than one hour and five times for periods over one hour, thc counter 10Jt will register fifteen times. T has, the inspector will know that the driver should turn in. $87.50, plus whatever amount has been registered on the counter 103.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a shutter device 'for normally closing the windows 9 on the face plate l of the device and also while the register disks are being reset. This device essentially includes a shutter member 112, which extends across the entire face of the device, and is slidably mounted as indicated at 113 on the vertical guide rods 11st. In the normal neutral position of the apparatus this shutter 112 occupies a position which To effect the movement of the shutter member 11i), when the device is brought into use, the same is connected at its lower edge as indicated at 115 with a lever arm 116 rigidly carried on the end ot a shaft 117 in the frame work of the apparatus and extending longitudinally of the casing, as will be observed from Figs. i2, 3 and i. This shaft 11T has connected to its end opposite the link 116 a link 11S which connects with a pin 119 carried by the lower end ot' the arm of the angular lever 86 which operates the yoke 82. Therefore, when the Hag is in its lowest position and the apparatus is in view the pin 1191 will swing the link 118 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5 to lower the shutter member 112. This same movement of the level' 86 swings the yoke` 82 on its pivot 83 so that the register shaft 75 is pulled outwardly so that the register disks 6, T and 8 are free to rotate thereon. When the Ha lever is moved back to its neutral position he cam 3G moves the armV Si' wihichV is connected with the arm 86 so that the link 118 of the shaft 117 is moved in th opposite directionto that shown by the arrow in Fig. 5 to lift the shutter inember 112 and thereby cover the windows 9 from which the register disks are visible.

From the foregoing description. of parts it will be clear that the normal condition of the device is `when the flag F is raised so that the shank thereof which connects with the shaft Q is in a vertical position. When the device is brought into use the flag is swung through an at' of 180", therebliY shifting the clutch Vp'iiiion 14 on the inain transmitting shaft 13, into enirageinent with the gear 28 o'lf the cam unit Thus immediately upon the flg bein" moved from its normal position t ye clo'cr work of the time mechanism T operates the cam unit U through the pinion The turning down of the flag lever also rotates the shaft Q5 so that the cani 29 releases the trnt 52 of the restraining device D, thus permitting the arnr48 of said devicle carrying the pivot dog 4G, to move upwardly so that the head of the latter bears againstthe periphery of the collar 39. ln this state of the apparatus the levers 4S) and 50 are held out of engagen'ient with the cams Si' and 38 b f the member 51 carried by the arm i8 oi" t e restraining device l). Thus in this position, the cam unit liv operates for one hour, during which period the head of the pivot dog 46' rides along the external face of the collar 39'. Immediately upon the expiration of the hour, the dog 4G passes through the clearance notch i0 into the center of the Vcollar 39, thus permitting the spring tensioned arm i8 of the restraining device D to rise and release the levers 49 and 50 so that the pawl' ends thereof contact with the working edges of the cams 37 antlrSS. respectively.

`ptiii the expiration of fifteen minutes the cam 3f' will actuate the lever 19, which through the link 56 and pawl 69 will rotate the register disklG of the cents `units of the apparatus. In the meantime, the pawl end of the levei1 5,0 has been riding against the working edge of the ca 38, and owin to the specialrelation of tie cam projections on tlie cams 37 and' 38', thelever 50 will operate in conjunction with the lever 49 at certain intervals to cause both the disks 6 and 7 to operate to give a combined dollars and cents registration. The peculiar arrangement of numbers on the register disk 6 makes the correctA total registration always possible between the disks G and 7. That is to say, owing to `the uneven amount of the fixed tarii rate that each quarter hour re1presents, it would be impossible to obtain t e correct total with the numbers on the disk arranged in nunicrical succession. However,

with ille arrangement specified the two disks will always operate in proper synchronism lo give the correct total fare combination.

The disk S may be a duplicate of the disk 7 as far as the numerical succession of numbers on the periphery thereof is concerned, since the part of the disk 8 in the total fare registration is merely au ordinary picku movement from one disk to another, for eac single revolution of the controlling disk, in this case the disk 7. Although the numbers on the disks 7 and S are in numerical succession from 1 to nauffht the initial arrangement thereof is such that the disk 8 will be two numbers behind theA disk 6, so that when the latter disk is visible through its Window 9 to show the 2 which is a art of the fixed tariff rate, the dollars dis 8 will register a naught. lVith the arran ement described it will be apparent that t e register mechanism will register indefinitely in increments of $.60 each from $2.50 up, to the limit of the disks 6, 7 and 8 which in the present instance is $99.90.

lVhen the shaft 25 is turned so that the flag is in its downward position it will also he clear that the cam 36 releases the arm S7 of the angular lever 86 so that the same will operate under the ends of the spring 89 and thereby move the yoke 82 on its pivot to draw the shaft 35 from the register disks 6, 7 and 8 to thus permit them to freely rotate. This same movement of the lever 86 causes the shutter 112 to fall so that the initial fare registration is visible to the occupant of the vehicle. During the period of operation it will also be clear that the counters 103 and 104 are in operation to keep check on the totals computed by the register mechanism` When the occupant of the machine is tinished with the use of the same, the driver thereof returns the flag from its downward position to its normal neutral position, and the register mechanism is reset, since the cam 36 bears on Vthe arm 87 of the lever 86 to counteract the force of the spring 89 thus shifting the yoke 82 on its pivot 83 so that the shaft 75 is pushed inward and the lugs 7 7 thereof engage the inclined faces of the bushings 78. This same movement of the shaft causes the cam 24 to pull the clutch pinion 151 out of engagement with the gear Q9 through the connections already described while the cam Q9 presses down on the arm 52 of the restraining device to thus pull the arm 48 downward and snap the pivot trip dog 46 over the inclined inner edge of the collar 39 and place the same in its normal position, while at the same time the member 51 carried by the arm 48 causes both of the levers 49 and 50 to move downward' against the tension of their springs S so that they are held out of contact with the cams 37 mageos and The shutter lll is also moved behind the openings 9 in the face plate by means of the connections` already described, and the entire apparatus is in condition for further service.

lllithout further description, it is thought that the many features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, and it will, of course, be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may he resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A taXimeter including n time mechanism, a register mechanism including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements, and a charge regulating dcvice adapted to act-nate said registering elen'xents an amount prime to the radix includingany necessary transfer. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, and a charge regulating device including means for simultaneously effecting a necessary transfer, adapted to augment the register reading an amount prime to the radix by a single step.

A taximeter including a linie mechanism, a register mechanism including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements and a charge regulating dcvice including a plurality of differential cam elements adapted to actuate said registering elements an amount prime to the radix including any necessary transfer, and separate lever connections between said cam elements and said independently rotatable registering elements.

4. In a taximeter, a registering mechanism including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements and a charge regulating device including a plurality of differential cam elements adapted to actuate said registering elements an amount prime to the radix including any necessary transfer, an actuator for said charge regulating device, and means operated by said cam elements for actuating said independently rotatable registering elements.

5. In a taximeter, a registering mechanism including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements, and a charge regulating device including a plurality of differential cam elements adapted to actuate said registering elements an amount prime to the radix including any necessary transfer, an actuator for said charge regulating device, separate levers operated hy said cam elements and having operative connections with said independently rotatable registering elements, and a restraining device for controlling the engage-- ment and disengagement of said separate levers with said cam elements.

rao

6. .A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, a charge regulating device actuated solelyby said time ,mechanisnn operative connections between said register mechanism, a clutch devict` actuated by said time mechanism, a winding shaft for,sa1d time mechanism. `a clutch Ishifting element carried by. said shaft, and

means for moving r, said clutch shifting .element ,to throvv` said clutch .of the time mechanism into and out ofv engagement With the charge'regulating device `8. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a registering mechanism including a pluralit 30 y adapted to actuatevsaid registering elements an amount prime to the. radix Iincluding any of independently rotatable registering eements, a charge regulating device,

necessary transfer, said-device `consisting ot aV pairof'diiferential cam elements operated bythe" time mechanism, and register operatinglevers and connections operatively en- A.gaging each of said differential cam elements, a restraining device for holding said leversout of engagement Withv the cams` manually controlled means for initially releasing `the restraining de vice :into opera tive relation to said charge regulating device.

`and meanscarried by said charge regulating device'for delaying the engagement of said-levers with theyditl'erential cam elements for a predetermined time period.

9.A taxnntter including a time mechanism, a registering mechanism including a plurality of independentlyl rotatable registering elements, a charge regulating device including a plurality of differential cam elements adapted to actuate said registering elements an amount prime to the radix by single step, anoperatinggear, lever connections between said. cams andthe registering-elements, a clutch. associated with the 'time mechanism and adapted to mesh with said operating-gear ofthe `charge regulating device, and means for manually. shifting said Lclutch into and out of engagement with said gear.

10. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a registering mechanism including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements, a charge regulating device for said .mechanism, including a plurality of diferential cam elements adapted to augment. the .register reading an amount prime 1o. the radix by a single step, an operating wheel, and a notched trip collar, a clutch driven directly by said time mechanism, anll..means.for shifting said clutch into and out of `en agement with the operating wheel of said charge regulating device.

11. A taximeter includinga` time mecha.- Vnism, a registering mechanism including a plural-ity of independently rotatable registerin elements, a charge regulating device inclu ing a plurality of differential cam elementsoperated bythe time mechanism, a. manually operated shaft, a clutchffor connecting said time mechanism and charge .regulating device, means carried by said shaft-for shifting said clutch, and register operating levers operatively connecting said cams of the charge regulating device with the registering elements whereby. the reading of the latter is augmented by a single .stepmand a restraining device .controlled ,b v,said manually operated shaft for maintaining. said leversout of contact `With said cams when the shaftis in neutral position.

12.' .A taximeter including a time mechanism,a registerV mechanism including disconnected counting4 members, and aV time controlled chan ie. regulatingdevice having apluralityof differential ,register operating elements,r and. a separate operating connection betyveeneach .operating element and certain `of the lseparate countingmembers.

13. A taximeter including a time mechanisma registering mechanism including a `plurality of independently` rotatable. regisering elements, anda charge regulating device, adapted toactuate said registering .elements an amount prime tothe radix including any Anecessary transfer, said charge regulating device lincluding a, plurality of differential camV elements` a notched .trip collarand a driving Wheel, and a resetting "deviceor said ,charge regulating device.

14. A taximeter including a time mechanism, aregistering mechanism including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements, and a charge re lating device' adapted to actuate said reglstering elements an amount prime to the radix including any necessary transfer, said charge regulating device including a shaft, a charge regulating unit rotatably mounted thereon and consisting of a plurality of differential cams arranged infixed relation, a notched trip collar'and a driving Wheel` and also including apinion and check disk, a spring ,actuated resetting segment adapted to engagewith nsaid pinion, and a check pawl for engaging with said disk.

15.A In a taximeter`the combination with a face plate ,having `windows therein, 4of separate rotatably mounted disks respec- Sii tively having on half of their area the signals Recording and Not recording," While the other half is blank, shaft and sector means for operating said disks whereby the same alternately present their blank surface or their signal surface, and a manually controlled cam shaft having means for actuating said means for operating the disks.

16. In a taximeter, the combination with a face plate having windows therein,l of separate disks respectively having on 'half of their area the signals Recording and Not recording, While the other half, is blank, separate means for operating said disks comprising spring-tensioned shafts having means at one end for engaging said disks and an arm at the other end, and a manually controlled shaft having cam meansfor alternately engaging said arms of said separate shafts to alternately cause said disks to present their blank and lettered surfaces.

17. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a registering mechanism, .including a plurality of independently rotatable registering elements, a charge regulating ,device including a trip collar, and cam actuated lever elements adapted to augment the registering reading an amount prime to the radix by a single step, a restraining device normally depressing said cam actuated lever elements, manually operated means for causing said restraining device to be controlled for a predetermined period by the trip collar of the charge regulating device, said collar having means for automatically releasing the restraining device to permit the engagement of the lever elements by the cams of said charge regulating device.

18. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, a charge regulating device including a pair of differential cam elements and operated by said time mechanism, separate register operating levers and connections actuated directly by one of the cams of said charge regulating device, a restraining device including separate spaced arms rigidly connected and having the same axis, means carried by one of said arms for engaging said register operat` ing levers and also having means for engaging the charge regulating device, and manually controlled means for engaging the other arm of said restraining device and adapted to initially release the same into operative relation to said charge regulating device, and means carried by said charge regulating device for delaying the Working engagement of said register operating levers with said cam elements.

19. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, a Mcharge regulating device including a pair of differential cam elements and operated by said time mechanism, a shaft mounted at one side ot' the charge regulating device, separate register operating levers loosely mounted on said shaft and operatively connected with said register mechanism, said levers separately engaging one of said cam elements, a restraining device also mounted on the same shaft with said levers and having spaced arms, means carried by one of sai arms for engaging said levers, and manually controlled means for engaging the other of said arms to control said charge regulating device.

20. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism` the charge regulating device including a duplex cam unit and a trip member having a notch, register operating means, a restraining device having levers for maintaining said register 0perating levers out of engagement with the cam unit of the charge regulating device, a trip dog carried by said restraining device` manually operated means for causing said trip dog of the restraining device to come into operative engagement with the collar carried by the charge regulating device and remaining in operative relation thereto for a predetermined period while maintaining the register operating means disengaged from the cam unit, said trip dog entering the notch ofthe .collar at the end of said predetermined period and causing said register operating levers to become engaged with the .duplex cam unit to .operate the register mechanism, and said manually operated means adapted to restore the restraining device to normal position and simultaneously reset the register mechanism.

21. In a taximeter, the combination of a time mechanism, a register mechanism including a plurality of'independently .rotatable registering elements, a charge regulating device including a duplex cam unit, a shaft, a separate operatin connection between each of said cam ements of the charge regulating device and certain of said registering elements, said operating connections including levers mounted on said shaft, a register checking counter, and means carried by said shaft and operated by said levers for operating the register checking counter.

22. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, a charge regula ting device including separate rigidly connected cam members, a notched trip collar rigid with said cam members, means for automatically maintaining said collar in normal position, register operating means, and a restraining device including 4a pivoted trip dog and means for maintaining said register operating means out of engagement with said cam members, and manually controlled means for releasing said restraining device whereby the trip dog bears against the periphery of the collar for a predetermined period, and then passes through the notch to cause the engagement of the register operating means with the cam members, said manually operated means adapted to reset the restraining device to cause the disengagement of the register operating means with the cam members and simultaneously reset the register mechanism.

23. A taXimeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, a charge regulating device comprising a plurality of rigidly connected cam members, a collar having a notch rigidly carried by one of said cam members and an operating gear, a manually shiftable clutch member for connecting the time mechanism with said gear of the charge regulating device, register operating means, a restraining device having a pivoted trip dog and means for holding said register operating means out of engagement with said cam members, and manually operated means for releasing said restraining device to permit the trip dog thereof to bear against the periphery of the collar and simultaneously connect the charge regulating device and the time mechanism, said trip dog being adapted to bear against the periphery of the collar for a predetermined period, during which time the register operated means are out of engagement with the cam members.

24. A taximeter including a time mechanism, a register mechanism, a charge regubiting device comprising rigidly connected cam members, a collar having a notch rigidly carried by one of said cam members and an operating ear. a manually shiftable clutch member or connecting the time mechanism With said gear of the charge regulating device, registering operating means including separate register operating levers respectively for said separate cam members,

a restraining device having a pivoted trip dog and means for holding said levers out of engagement with the cam members of the charge regulating device, manually controlled means for releasing said restraining device into engagement with the trip collar, pawl and ratchet means for the register mechanism, and link connections between said levers and said paWl and ratchet means. In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES DNAT RICHARD. Witnesses:

W. E. MGGUIRK, Gno. J. Conn'rr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained fer ve cents each, by addressing the Uommissioner of Patents,

Washington, Il!!` C. 

